Dantzler, Webb, Westmoreland chosen by Blue Jays, Yankees, Marlins
As South Carolina’s season came to an end in Chapel Hill, three Gamecocks were chosen to continue their baseball careers in the big leagues.
Tyler Webb, L.B. Dantzler, and Adam Westmoreland were among 32 other South Carolina college and high school players to be selected in this year’s MLB Draft.
Pitcher Tyler Webb, a senior from Nassawdox, Va., was taken in the 10th round with the 314th pick by the New York Yankees. Webb was awarded third-team All-American honors this year by Collegiate Baseball and was a second-team All-SEC honoree.
Webb collected 17 saves including nine saves in SEC play. He was among the nation’s best with those numbers, and did not allow a run in 25 of 30 relief appearances this season. With an ERA of 1.36, he struck out 60 batters and allowed only 12 walks. In Webb’s career at South Carolina, the southpaw pitched in relief for 96 games. He saw post-season action 17 times and was 3-0 with two saves and a .72 ERA in 25 innings.
“It’s been a great four years here at South Carolina, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I wouldn’t trade one of the teammates I’ve shared it with. We’ve had a great group of guys, and we’ve had a good run. To this point, it’s definitely the highlight of my life, and I’ll cherish the memories for a long time,” Webb said.
Pitcher Adam Westmoreland, a fifth year senior from Cayce, was taken with the 772nd pick in the 26th round by the Miami Marlins. Westmoreland had a solid senior season, going 7-4, with three saves, and a 2.60 ERA. His ability to come into the game and help the Gamecocks with solid pitching is something Coach Holbrook and the Gamecocks will miss next season.
“I’ve been here since Coach Holbrook started, and it’s been a growing process the entire time. This year we all put it together and felt like we had a good team to make a good run at it and continue of postseason success,” Westmoreland said.
L.B. Dantzler, a senior from Winter Haven, Fla., was taken with the 415th pick by the Toronto Blue Jays. Dantzler was a captain on this year’s South Carolina team and made significant improvements at the plate this season. The junior college transfer had a .332 average, and a .648 slugging percentage. Dantzler’s power at the plate was a huge reason the Gamecocks were as successful as they were this season.